Club 1864 Newsletter - October 2016

The Mighty Seagulls may not have got to the big dance this year, but that doesn't mean the club should be counted out of premiership calculations for 2017. With an ever-improving list, the return of some important players free from injury and a new batch of recruits on the way, there's no reason why Williamstown can't replicate the form of 2015.

Club 1864 congratulates our Senior Coach Andy Collins, Football Manager Chris Dixon, CEO Jason Reddick and their staff, along with all our volunteers for again putting us in a top 4 position on the ladder and giving us a crack at our 17th premiership.

Ben Bese was the hard luck story of 2015, with the well documented broken collarbone he suffered in a preliminary final against Essendon after a courageous act. This year he bounced back into the senior lineup and picked up where he left off with his straight line attack on the ball and his ability to play an attacking role from half-back. An equal top four placing in the club's best and fairest was a testament to his outstanding season and confirmed Ben as a worthy winner of our Club 1864 award.

Best Clubperson Award

Congratulations to Jan Dandridge on winning the Bill 'Darkie' Raffle Award for being the best club person. A very well deserved achievement and we thank Jan for her outstanding volunteer service to the club over the years.

Life Membership

Having Life Membership bestowed upon you is an occasion that many Club 1864 members have enjoyed and its significance can never be understated. Congratulations to Ed Carr on his seven seasons and 108 games with the club to date and we wish him continued success into 2017 with our football club.

Retirement

Cam Lockwood will go down as one of the greatest and most loyal servants of the Williamstown Football Club, and his leadership and the way in which he plays will be tough to fill. As he moves into retirement, it will now be up to the next generation of Seagulls to step up and become leaders of the club alongside the likes of Ben Jolley, Ed Carr, Sam Dunell, Peter Faulks, Leigh Masters and Willie Wheeler to ensure the club continues to move forward.

Club 1864 Social Report

Membership:

From just 24 financial members in 2015, this year we had 81 past players and officials join our club membership. Our target for next season is 100+ and we encourage all to recommit and recruit for our 2017 drive.

President's Luncheons:

Club 1864 committed to a table of 10 at each of the home games during the season and a huge thanks to Rick Slevison, Bob Pearman, 'Chops' Rickman, Bruce Davis, Phil McTaggart, Kim Kershaw and Saade Ghazi for getting players, officials and wives together to ensure that a good time was had by all.

Club 1864 Day:

The home game against 1980's rival, Coburg, hosted our annual Club 1864 day with around 100 past players, officials and volunteers attending. There was a great representation of the premiership sides of 1956, 1976 and 1986 but also special efforts made by many to be there and enjoy the day. Great to see Ian James, father of 1986 premiership player Ronnie, attending along with sons Mark and Jason.

Congratulations

AFL Grand Final:

Past Williamstown player Liam Picken had a stellar AFL finals series where he averaged 23 possessions over the four games culminating in a close to Norm Smith Medal performance in the Bulldogs second premiership win. Liam played with Williamstown from 2005 through to 2013 playing 63 games and kicking 45 goals.

A second past Willy player, Dane Rampe, was also in the thick of things on Grand Final day with his efforts for the Sydney Swans. Dane played 22 games for the Seagulls in 2005.

Congratulations to both former Seagulls for making it to the biggest game there is.

WFC Board Appointment:

Former 1986 premiership ruckman Kim Kershaw has joined the Board of our football club. A four-time Gerry Callahan Medallist, Team of the Century & Hall of Fame member, Kim brings a wealth of football knowledge back to our football club and will be a valuable asset in both our football and finance departments.

Season 2017

Our agenda for 2017 includes:

Continuous updating of our past player, official and volunteer database

Reach our financial membership target of 100 @ $55.00 per membership

Commit to a table of 10 at each home game President's Luncheon

Circulate quarterly newsletters to all on our database

Secure Club 1864 sponsors at $500 each

Host our Club 1864 day at a mid-season home game

Conduct our social Golf Day in mid-March 2017

Whilst Club 1864 is all about fun we wish to be able to contribute financial and in-kind assistance to our great football club. In 2017 our direct assistance is toward the club's 'Soaring Seagulls' program supporting player welfare and development.

The nature of VFL football is quite rare, in that players devote a great deal of their time and effort to their football commitments, whilst maintaining full-time work, full-time study, or a combination of both. The SOAR program identifies that this balance is critical and aims to assist players in maintaining a balance both on, and off, the field.

From our history book

Williamstown Football Club formed in 1864, same year as Carlton FC, and preceded only by Melbourne FC and Geelong FC, recorded its first premiership in 1907. Next season celebrates the 110-year anniversary of our first success.